JOB AND TASK DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Director, Political Division
Division: Political Division
Grade: C
Reports To: Deputy Secretary-General (Political)
General Information
The Commonwealth Secretariat is the principal intergovernmental body of the
Commonwealth, responsible for advancing and achieving the shared goals of the association’s 53 member governments in promoting democracy, development and respect for diversity.
The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General who, as the Chief Executive of the organisation, is responsible and accountable for overall leadership, management and delivery. At the senior level, there are three Deputy Secretaries-
General responsible broadly for the political, economic and social development, and corporate goals and programmes of the Secretariat.
The Secretariat has an annual budget of approximately £45 million in three separate Funds (Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Fund for Technical
Cooperation, and Commonwealth Youth Programme) and a staff establishment of upward of 280 deployed principally at the headquarters in London as well as at two
Commonwealth Offices for small states located in New York and Geneva.
The Secretariat is implementing a four-year Strategic Plan for the period from
2013/14 to 2016/17. The Plan concentrates effort on those areas where the
Commonwealth Secretariat has a clear or proven advantage, capacity to add global value, and potential to deepen impact and results of benefit to Commonwealth member governments as well as the Commonwealth at large. The Secretariat is consolidating Results-Based Management together with strengthened governance in alignment with contemporary international standards and norms. The Secretariat has also recently introduced a reformed staff structure and establishment to meet the needs of the Strategic Plan.
The Political Division (POL) is the lead division in the Secretariat’s high-profile programme for the promotion of the Commonwealth’s shared political values, particularly the culture and institutions of constitutional democracy and the prevention or peaceful resolution of political conflict. The division is under the line management of a supervising Deputy Secretary-General but also works closely with the Secretary-General, providing advice and support on all political issues and to advance the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values including support for the Secretary-General’s ‘Good Offices for Peace’. The Division’s work includes monitoring and analysis of political developments in and relating to Commonwealth member states; preparation and deployment of election observation; managing the
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provision of technical assistance to build and reinforce democratic institutions including direct support for the Commonwealth Electoral Network which brings together national election management bodies; and discreet activities to achieve conflict resolution activities and the general advancement of Commonwealth political values (Good Offices). The work is often politically sensitive and needs to be carried out to demanding timetables.
POL is also responsible for organising and servicing the biennial Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This operational responsibility for the
CHOGM is one of the most important and high profile responsibilities of the
Secretariat. POL is also responsible for organising and servicing the scheduled
Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting and Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group (CMAG) meeting as well as other ad hoc meetings on political matters that may arise.
Job summary
The Director, Political Division, reports to and consults with the Deputy Secretary-
General (Political) in providing leadership and management oversight for political affairs in the Commonwealth and on related collaborative partnerships and programmatic interventions, including monitoring and evaluation thereof. The post holder provides advice to the Secretary-General and other senior colleagues on political issues; oversees the organisation of election observation and the promotion of democratic processes and institutions in Commonwealth countries; supervises the organisation and conduct of meetings of Foreign Ministers and Heads of Government; and provides support to the Secretary-General’s ‘Good Offices’ work on conflict prevention and resolution. The post holder manages a team of about 20 staff.
Task description
The Director undertakes the following:
Leadership and Management
 Participates and contributes in corporate management as a member of the
Senior Management Group of the Commonwealth Secretariat, under the chair of the Secretary-General.
 Leads and supervises, inspiring the Division to project, promote and protect the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values and to deliver the
Secretariat’s work in this area as defined in the Strategic Plan.
 Manages, maintaining the highest standards of Secretariat governance in the
Division including in staff relations and the use of resources to to agreed quality expectations and standards.
 Creates an environment for staff in which they can achieve professional and personal goals, and in which they are motivated to contribute to the Secretariat and the implementation of its programmes.
 Formulates, develops and oversees the implementation of strategies; analyses context and impact of current strategies and makes adjustments to maintain impact and achieve outcomes, making optimum use of human and budgetary resources.
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 Leads in institutionalising knowledge management in the Division’s work.
Political Affairs: oversight, support and advice
 Advises the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General on political issues concerning the Commonwealth and on the advancement of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values.
 Monitors political developments in member states in order to identify and take forward opportunities for the Secretariat to play a supportive role, particularly in assisting member states’ to advance national plans for building and strengthening democratic institutions and processes.
 Acts as Conference Secretary including co-ordination of preparatory work by the Secretariat (internally, and with the host government and other member governments) for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meetings, the Commonwealth
Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meetings, and other ad hoc high level consultative mechanisms dealing with political issues and Commonwealth political values;
 Leads quality assurance in programme design and delivery, including oversight and the delivery of outputs and outcomes that are consistent with the Secretariat’s results-based management practices, including:
 Directs preparations and support by the Secretariat for
Commonwealth election observation and election management bodies in member states, and personally leads election observationrelated missions as and when required.
 Guides support provided by the Division in the Secretary-General’s
Good Offices work (including appointment of Envoys/Advisers) to advance peaceful resolution of political conflict and other fundamental Commonwealth political values, and personally leads
Good Offices work on behalf of the Secretary-General as and when required.
 Negotiates and interacts with high level contacts in member governments on political issues on behalf of the Secretary-General and Secretariat when required.
Collaborative Partnership
 Collaborates with colleagues in the Secretariat to assist in achieving its corporate goals, including as a member of the Senior Management Group.
 Establishes and maintains contacts at senior levels with members of governments, intergovernmental organisations and other international agencies; and other contacts at senior level including High Commissioners in
London.
 Develops and maintains good relations with relevant accredited
Commonwealth organisations and pursues practical collaboration in the field with such organisations where feasible.
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 Seeks and secures external partners to advance the Division’s work and results expected in the Strategic Plan.
Other
 Presents Commonwealth perspectives publicly through interaction with the media, public speaking and other profile-raising activities; and, supports organisation profile-building in collaboration with Communication Division; and;
 Adheres to the Gender Equality values of the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Charter and Secretariat’s Gender Equality Policy.
 Performs any other duties as may be required from time to time.
Person specification
Education
A tertiary degree and desirably a postgraduate qualification or equivalent.
Experience
At least 15 years’ working experience at a senior management level.
Experience in an area dealing with political analysis, policy development, or international relations preferably in an international context.
Experience of working in the public administration of a Commonwealth member government, in a role entailing diplomacy and tact, as well as analysis and advocacy.
Experience working in a multicultural environment.
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Competencies:
Respect for Diversity
Works effectively with people from all backgrounds.
Treats all people with dignity and respect. Treats men and women equally.
Shows respect & understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates understanding in daily work and decision making.
Examine own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses and does not discriminate against any individual or group.
Creates an environment where respect for diversity is embedded in behaviours, systems & processes.
Communication
Establishes a culture of constant, consistent, clear and open communication
Ensures information is communicated to and from the top level and filtered through the appropriate channels.
Communicates effectively with and gains understanding of top level stakeholders e.g. Heads of member states.
Planning & Analysis
Organises work programme with full cognizance of Board of Governance requirements.
Effectively assesses and advises on major programmes/activities at a divisional level.
Balances focus in order to deliver both Commonwealth Secretariat and member states’ goals.
Ability to interpret incomplete and/or ambiguous information.
Effectively analyses and assesses new or uncertain critical situations.
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Managing Resources
Delegates and allocates responsibilities accordingly when planning organisational strategy.
Effectively determines strategy and plans for overall Commonwealth Secretariat budget, balancing needs of all the member states.
Understands when to engage the expertise of others within the Commonwealth
Secretariat to support own activity.
Ensures timely delivery of outputs within defined cost and quality standard parameters.
Adhering to Principles & Values
Defines Commonwealth Secretariat values.
Sets example and embodies Commonwealth Secretariat principles and values.
Demonstrably protects the reputation of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Interprets and implements Commonwealth Secretariat principles and values.
Leadership & Development (strategic)
Provide vision and overall strategy for the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Creates a vision where the reputation of the Commonwealth Secretariat is upheld and consistently evolving.
Communicates the Commonwealth Secretariat’s vision, achievements and impact in a manner that inspires enthusiasm amongst employees, member states, and external parties.
Establishes a culture where the creation and capitalisation of opportunities for staff development and fulfilment is promoted and valued.
Provide top level professional advice in strategic issues at management committee, board of governor & EXCO level. Lead on strategic issues.
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